In this article I’ll show you how to make strawberry jam from fresh fruit and then preserve it by canning.

It’s a feel-good, do-it-yourself project that you can do with your whole family, in your own kitchen and enjoy the fruits of your labor for the rest of the year.

Why Preserve Jam?

If you think of canning as an old-fashioned pursuit best enjoyed by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, think again. Canning and preserving fruits and vegetables is no longer considered old-fashioned. Walk into any bookstore or library these days, and you’re sure to find several modern cookbooks on the practice of preserving.

Like many homesteading activities that went out of style for a generation or two, canning is back in full force. It’s a traditional pursuit that is fun for the whole family. Plus, it’s a great lesson for your kids.

When a family cooks together, you form a special kind of bond. And it’s really fun to prepare and preserve something that you would normally buy in the grocery store. Your kids will learn how jam is made. They’ll gain pride and confidence, and you’ll all have yummy jam you can eat year-round!